Costa Rican road safety

As I recently wrote in part one of this lengthy post, I have just returned from my third trip to Costa Rica. Of the many impressions of this beautiful country that have stayed with me, perhaps the most deeply entrenched, is the notion of transportation, primarily driving. Many people who travel to Britain from just

A Gringo in Costa Rica Part 1

Having just returned from my third visit to Costa Rica, I am even more impressed with this great nation and its people. The reason for my repeated visits is not just the wonderful country, but to visit my in-laws. One of my wife’s sisters married a Tico (the term used proudly by Costa Ricans to

I’m a Gecko saver

(San Isidro, Costa Rica) A few years ago I wrote a post explaining one of the inspirations I have to donate blood. The components of my blood make me a baby saver. The fact that I am both CMV Negative and O Negative puts me in a very small group; about 1.4% of the world’s

How Do Costa Rican Motorcyclists Survive?

During my second trip to Costa Rica to visit in-laws over the holidays, I could not help but consider yet again how it can be possible that any motorcycle riders survive the roads and traffic. Those of us who are used to more recent urbanization, including streets set out in a grid formation, are at

Roosters Need Snooze Buttons

When your rooster crows at the break of dawnLook out your window and I’ll be goneYou’re the reason I’m a-travelin’ on But don’t think twice, it’s all right -BOB DYLAN, Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right While in Costa Rica recently we stayed in a semi-rural area called San Josecito de San Isidro de Heredia.

Robbed by a Canadian Bank at ATM Point in Costa Rica

UPDATE: On February 25, 2022, the missing amount was deposited into my account as a correction. Sometimes things work as they should! My wife and I spent the holiday season in Costa Rica visiting her family. It was my second time there and it is a beautiful country at the best of times, and even

Dive Bars

If you read this blog with any regularity you will have discerned by now that I am a big fan of bars. Not that I am given to over-imbibing, but I feel at home when sitting at a bar. Not being a terribly young man anymore, I tend to spend most of my bar time

Costa Rican Civility

After three weeks in Costa Rica it has occurred to me that, aside from the physical beauty, the concept of civility is what has struck me most. This should not come as a surprise, considering this country celebrates the disbanding of its military in favour of education. I’ll provide more about this in a future